Scotland follows Wales in banning greyhound racing
By Rachel Keenan, Press Association Scotland Politics Reporter
Scotland has banned greyhound racing as MSPs backed a Bill to end the sport. It follows a similar move by Wales earlier this week.
The Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill was supported by 70 votes to 27 at Stage 3. There were 19 abstentions.
It will make it an offence to operate a racing track for greyhounds and for a dog owner to race their animal on one.
Green MSP Mark Ruskell brought forward the Bill, which will effectively shutter the only remaining Scottish track, at Thornton in Fife, where there has been sporadic racing in recent years.
Mr Ruskell said: “I’m delighted that we’ve got my member’s Bill over the line and that we will finally end this cruel gambling-led sport in Scotland.
“Greyhound racing belongs in the past, and my Bill ensures that no more dogs will be forced to endure it.
“The case against greyhound racing has never been stronger and the international consensus to end the suffering of these dogs is now unstoppable.
“This week Scotland and Wales have both voted to join the many countries around the world who have already banned it.
“It has been deeply personal for me. In 2015, my family rehomed an ex-racing greyhound called Bert. He sadly passed away last year.
“He was a wonderful dog, kind and affectionate and so patient with kids – and even with cats – but what I didn’t fully understand, until I started working on this campaign, was the trauma that Bert had endured while racing.
“It is only through love that these dogs heal from their years spent in an exploitative industry.
“Over the course of my Bill, I have spoken to dozens and dozens of dog owners with greyhounds like Bert; gentle souls who had been scarred.
“I also heard about the patient work of re-homers across Scotland to bring these dogs into their lives and heal them.
“This Bill would not have been possible without the support of campaigners, dog owners and the thousands of people who took part in my consultation.
“It is a big step forward for animal welfare in Scotland, and I am grateful to everyone who has helped us to get to this stage and to get this bill passed.”
Animal rights campaigners welcomed the passing of the Bill, with a spokesperson for Say No To Greyhound Racing in Scotland saying: “Since 2017, we’ve stood together as a grassroots group, fighting tirelessly and successfully to stop a new track at Wallyford in East Lothian and to secure a nationwide ban on greyhound racing in Scotland — groundbreaking legislation that marks a historic step forward for animal welfare.”
Emma Slawinski, chief executive at the League Against Cruel Sports in Britain, said: “We look forward to the Welsh and Scottish governments implementing the ban on greyhound racing as soon as possible."
Wednesday’s vote at Holyrood comes after the Senedd in Wales voted on Tuesday to ban the sport in a move hailed by campaigners as a “landmark moment for dog welfare”.
